Describes bilateral and multilateral trade agreements that this country is party to, including with the United States. Includes websites and other resources where U.S. companies can get more information on how to take advantage of these agreements.

Morocco’s Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with the United States entered into force in 2006.  This agreement is the only U.S. FTA on the continent of Africa.  The U.S. - Morocco FTA is comprehensive and includes chapters detailing commitment on intellectual property rights, labor, and environmental protection.

Morocco has committed to make its business environment more transparent and open to international companies by providing companies with an efficient, legal framework and secure working environment.  The U.S. and Moroccan governments have agreed to publish their current trade and investment laws, as well as any proposed legislation in advance.  Bribery of any form is outlawed, whistle-blowers are granted protection, and U.S. companies enjoy the same rights as Moroccan companies when investing in the country.

The FTA also works to uphold labor and environmental standards. The full text of the agreement can be viewed here:
 http://ustr.gov/trade-agreements/free-trade-agreements/morocco-fta/final-text.

Morocco also has FTAs with Egypt, Jordan, Tunisia, Turkey, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and has advanced trade status with the European Union.

The EU-Morocco Association Agreement, which covers industrial goods, entered into force on March 1, 2000, and applies to U.S. companies located in Morocco.  The agreement called for the gradual elimination of tariffs on EU-Moroccan trade in industrial goods over 12 years and provides duty-free access for limited quantities of some agricultural products, especially seafood products, fruits and vegetables.  In October 2008, Morocco gained “advanced status,” which allows both parties to consider a comprehensive free trade agreement.  Negotiations for a Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) between the European Union and Morocco were launched March 1, 2013, and are ongoing.

Morocco has also begun FTA negotiations with Canada and several West African states. The Moroccan government council adopted a bill ratifying the agreement to establish the African Continental Free Trade Area (CFTA) on February 22, 2019. The agreement aims to facilitate integration between African markets. Morocco formally applied to join the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) on February 24, 2017. In November 2017 Morocco began negotiations with the South American trading bloc Mercosur to establish a free trade area.

Prepared by our U.S. Embassies abroad. With its network of 108 offices across the United States and in more than 75 countries, the U.S. Commercial Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce utilizes its global presence and international marketing expertise to help U.S. companies sell their products and services worldwide. Locate the U.S. Commercial Service trade specialist in the U.S. nearest you by visiting http://export.gov/usoffices.